Ice Sculpting Club provides art for any occasion
Utah State University’s new ice sculpting club uses chain saws, chisels and other power tools to create works of art for clubs’ and organizations’ banquets and conferences across the campus.
“I started the club this semester, mostly to give culinary art students and art students a chance to try something new. Usually [ice sculpting] is a niche that’s hard to find,” said Kris Kvarfordt, president of the ice sculpting club.
“We carve sculptures in the rain, snow and sun,” said Jeff Woolley, chef de cuisine and adviser of the ice sculpting club.
For Woolley, carving is part of his job as chef.
“Chefs do it all over. They actually give you a basic course in carving … I’ve etched names in ice blocks, done Aggie A’s, satellites, swans, punch bowls and more,” he said.
“One of the goals I have [for the club] is to organize an amateur competition,” Kvarfordt said. “I would also like the club members to do some art out on the [Taggart Student Center] patio or on the north side of the [Eccles] Business Building.”
He also said there was a possibility to put together a traveling team in the future. There are competitions in Idaho, Denver, Colo., and even Anchorage, Alaska.
“It’s been really fun,” Kvarfordt said. “This [ice sculpting] is the only four-dimensional art form. As time goes on, [the sculpture] melts and changes.”
“We did a four-block sculpture of Old Main for President Hall’s scholarship banquet in the Skyroom. Everyone in the club participated,” Kvarfordt said.
Woolley said the first thing to do when making an ice sculpture is to sketch it on paper. Next, the design is laid out and lightly etched onto the ice block and finally the carving begins.
“Sometimes the ice breaks and you have to fuse the ice to a flat surface. Once it’s fused, it’s on there and not coming off,” Woolley said.
“Kris is really good at just going at it,” he said. “Personally, I need straight lines and my plan etched out.”
“I would like to encourage on-campus clubs to let us do carving for any event,” Kvarfordt said. “We could do it at a very reduced price or for free.”
On Nov. 15, the club will be sculpting for Guitars Unplugged.
Kvarfordt said, “I learned how to carve from Chef John McDonald working at the Carousel … I started my own business in February.
“With my business, I am able to provide [ice] blocks for next to nothing to club members. That way, they can try it,” he said.
Kvarfordt said his business, Ice Creations, provides blocks and finished pieces all over Southeast Idaho and Utah. Blocks are usually $60 to $70, but Kvarfordt provides them to club members for about $5.
Ice blocks are 40 inches tall, 20 inches wide and about 10 to 12 inches thick.
“As the club grows, there is a potential for a 20-foot or more sculpture,” Kvarfordt said.
“Everyone is welcome to just come and try one. We would love to have more people come and try it … I would like club members to try at least one a semester.”
“Because the club is so new, the culinary arts students and others don’t realize there is an ice club on campus,” Woolley said.
“[The club] is open to anyone who wants to try it,” he said
Anyone interested in this club or having ice sculptures done for an event can e-mail Kvarfordt at SLAGW@cc.usu.edu.